Aids Saskatoon

AIDS Saskatoon is the primary organization serving those living with HIV AIDS in not only Saskatoon but in northern Saskatchewan. 

Mission Statement

To facilitate care for those with HIV and HCV, to provide prevention strategies, and traditional and non traditional care, and to remove barriers for those living with HIV AIDS and HCV.


Programs

The name is a bit deceiving when you realize the scope and reach of the programming provided

601 Outreach Centres

• There are four 601 drop ins; Pricne Albert, Yorkton, La Ronge, and Saskatoon.  Not only do the centres provide a safe social place for individuals to come relax, watch tv, or use the computer but also provide important assistance such as; Laundry facilities, personal care items, and nutritional services.  Everyone is welcome to use the drop in facilities without question.  I was able to check out the facility while chatting with staff at the Saskatoon location and found it to be a very relaxed and accepting environment. 

Support Services

• On site support services are available in Saskatoon. They also offer Mobile services to Corrections, home, and hospital.  They also help with income assistance and housing and other social aspects. 

Emergency assistance fund  

• This provides coverage for medications, phone, television, hygiene, books etc. for those staying in facility for up to 3months.  

Education and prevention

• Department is responsible for all new technology and medical information, and harm reduction strategies. They also goes out and do speaking engagements and professional education.  
• Needle exchange is provided on-site in Saskatoon and Yorkton. 

Intensive family support

• This is specific to Saskatoon and they are partnered with ministry of social services., and work to prevent unnecessary child separation.  They Address the cause of neglect opposed to immediate separation of the family.  Work to create Safety planning, and have a Crisis response team(runs to midnight) otherwise open until 4pm. 

Funding
The organization receives about half it's funding from The Ministry of Social Services approx. In addition, Yorkton and Prince Albert are funded by their health regions.  La Rong receives funding from The Public health Agency.  Administration roles are covered by public health, The United Way and Social Services.  Support services staff are through Dakota dunes(women’s health), Saskatoon Health Region. 
The United Way provides long term funds, moving into 3 year funding.  In addition they receive some grants as well. 

Partnerships
In addition, some funding is aquired through partnerships.These partnerships include the Avenue Community Centre(scotiabank aids walk), The United Way, and Dakota dunes. 
SHARE partnered in a research panel to ensure that community has a voice; To bring people to meetings and in on research projects.  REACH is a national level partnership, and Sask Health has community representation.  
Partnerships don't always work though. For example The Sask Indigenous Strategy on HIV AIDS approached but it didn’t work.
They currently strive to create a voice for those affected.

Donations
 The organization uses cash donations for a number of projects and programs including their Nutrition Programming, Holiday Hampers, Condoms, and even postage. They say they help with the things that tend to fall through cracks, like special events at drop in centre.  
One of their major funding events is TAG day


Monitoring & Evaluating
The type of monitoring and evaluating used depends on the partners.  Public health uses PERT for example. Internally AIDS Saskatoon utilizes a strategic road map; They see if their actions fit into that road map and if their goals are being met. Then they will re-evaluate the plan or strategy.  
Front line feed back plays a big role as well as surveys for those using services(They give coffee cards for participating),as well as feedback cards in hampers. 

  

Successes and Lessons Learned
Though the program is 29 years in, they say it has really taken off last couple years(They have 30 staff now, previously 5).  
In addition they feel being selective about projects and not requesting funding you don’t need.  It is important to create project you need THEN find appropriate funding. They Focus on their mission and what they want to achieve and how to get dollars, but Don’t chase dollars. 
Another success for the group is their Inclusive collaborative team. They Work together to achieve goals.  Even when hiring, clients have input to ensure it is a good fit.  Their decisions include community, and they have representation.  
Building strong positive relationships with others doing the same work and maintaining strong genuine relationships foster success for them.  
Looking after their staff and their mental and emotional health(physical also) is important to keep them strong and successful at what they are doing, and ensuring Good coverage for staff and a supportive team.  Last but certainly not least they feel having a Larger team base opposed to all front line has a huge positive impact on the way they function.


When asked what makes them exceptional;
"Our Commitment to hard reduction, and our stand against coercive behaviour." Following policies, and having accountability. With the Outreach centre; no disclosure and no requirements; a place where everyone is welcome.  
Meeting people where they are with no expectations, and ensuring the well being of all, including their staff make them exceptional.

Challenges

Along the way they have had their challenges of course.  The main ones being, not having enough funding in some areas for projects(Prince Albert only has one staff person funded).  As well Stigma with testing, condoms etc can make it a difficult road.


In Review

A point they made while interviewing stood out to me. They said they understand that they cannot fix everything but work to reduce risks etc. This to me is a really important good point to acknowledge.  It says that the group knows that they may not eradicate this disease or fix the world but that they are working in some way to positively affect and help people and that every success they have counts even if they aren't the be all end all.  I enjoyed my time at the Saskatoon facility and for being such a small physical place they are doing a lot of good.  I also found it very interesting to see how well backed they are by the health regions which has a huge impact on the success of an organization.  Being from Saskatoon myself I feel that this organization is vital and it is so important to have a welcoming atmosphere for people to come in and feel comfortable and not to be judged or condemned.  I think that is important for organizations and groups to keep in mind, that you cannot make people change or want your help, you need to welcoming and understanding and give them a choice for their own lives.  

I am excited to see this organization grow and make big moves in the province!



**Information for this entry aquired through in person interview

AIDS Saskatoon
www.aidssaskatoon.ca
(306)242-5005
1143 Ave F North
Office Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday
The 601 Outreach Centre: 10:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday
PO Box 4062
Saskatoon SK
S7k 4E3

Charities vs Foundations

As I continue with both this blogging project and with the course I thought I would continue to research and learn a bit more about different aspects of this line of work.  I want to start with something that I recently learned from our course.

A little known fact is that Charities and Foundations are not in fact the same thing.  Even up until I began my course I would use terms like Charity, NGO, Non-profit interchangeably, picking and choosing which seemed appropriate.  I also tended to consider a Charity a religious based NGO.  I tended to assume that some charities just happened to call themselves foundations, not really considering that it could mean a lot more than fancy talking.
So now that your minds have been blown let me elaborate!

Charitable Organizations

Interestingly enough all charities are considered non profits but not all non profits are charities.  In addition charities offer tax receipts and only have charitable purposes.  Charities have more than 50% of their board(directors etc) at arm's length and generally tend to receive funding from donors at arm's length.  These organizations also tend to carry out their own charitable activities and events.
An example of a charitable organization would be Amnesty International

Foundations

The first and most important(in my opinion) aspect of foundations is that there are two type; Public and Private.  Both public and private foundations are established as a corporation or trust and only carry out charitable purposes.

Public foundations are similar to Charitably Organizations in that they have more than 50% of their board are at arm's length. These foundations generally give more than half of their income to other donees, which are usually registered charities. [Arm's length means that they are not related and act independently]
An example of a public foundation is The Hospital For Sick Children Foundation

Private foundations carry out their own activities as well as funding other registered charities and other donees. What is interesting about private foundations are that 50% of their board etc are NOT at arm's length from each other. In addition, more than half of their funding come from a person or group that have some sort of control of the charity or make up 50% or more of the board.
A great example of a private foundation is the Stephen Lewis Foundation


References for this blog were found at;

http://pfc.ca/canadian-foundation-facts/
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/chrts/pplyng/trcd-eng.html

A Better World Canada

History

A Better World(ABW) was started at College Heights Adventist Church in 1990.  ABW was founded by Eric Rajah and Brian LeavittWhile the organization only operated a couple international programs when it began it has continued to expand to include all people who need assistance regardless of who they are or where they are.  The organization is governed and directed by a board appointed by the church who oversea daily activities.

As an international organization ABW works with local community leaders and government to ensure the success and operation of the various projects.  The goal is that the projects will be sustained by the community upon completion of the set up.  
Mission & Vision

"Our mission is to deliver sustainable foundations needed to improve lives, in partnerships with local community leaders, development organizations and government ministries."

"Our vision is to help create a better world by inspiring people and organizations to become involved in the pursuit of improving lives"

Programs

 ABW say they will work on average 5-10 years with the country to make sure the community is able to keep the project going. 

Education
Currently the organization has projects in Kenya,Bolivia, Rwanda, Guatemala, Thailand and Afghanistan. These projects include replacing school buildings & replacing well systems, renovating and refacing buildings, creating agriculture programs to supply health food for the students, and Education for young girls and women formerly in the sex trade(up to age 33).

Health
The current health projects are in Honduras, Kenya, India, and Bolivia.
The projects are aiming to complete dorms in clinic facilities, Build clinics with well water supply, Provide medical equipment, Provide physiotherapy to physically challenged individuals, and Fund surgical procedures.

Water Supply
Water projects are currently running in Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Afghanistan.
The projects replace water supply systems, Drill wells, and Provide toilet systems and facilities.

Agriculture
The current programming is running in Kenya with a focus on Food Security.  The project includes agricultural education, irrigation, providing fertilizer, equipment and seeds. A main focus is getting schools to have their own self sustained feeding program on site. 

Monitoring of projects and programs is done in partnership with locals and ABW representative is sent to check in at least once a year to monitor the progress. ABW continues to monitor success using various tools such as; For education programs, reviewing student marks, comparing improvements from previous years. Water programs; Sustained repairs and upkeeps, population served. Income generation; investment returns, loans repaid on schedule, increased loan acquisition.  Health; partnerships with local managers, improved health from previous years, meeting the needs of the surrounding community.

Funding

Management and the board of directors are volunteers.  These volunteers pay their own way when travelling to monitor etc.  All of the office space and furnishings are donated and the paid staff are funded by donations which are acquired specifically for that reason.  

100% of monetary donations will go towards funding projects and can be put into specific projects currently being funded.
In terms of partnerships, ABW say majority of their funding comes from community donors and those in the international communities where the programs are held.   

Additional information

When asked about challenges they meet as an organization they feel that trying to help all those that are in need is hardest as a non profit.  Sometimes they have to turn down projects to ensure they are doing the proper level of work and commitment to their current endeavours.

ABW considers their unique quality to be their Investment model and 100% donation to project model as well as their close relationships with every donor and project.
Along the way ABW say they have learned that "the best use of one's money is to invest in people"

Their goal is sweet and simple: A better World for everyone. 

In review

I found it both impressive and intimidating while researching all the various projects the organization is running.  I think that looking at them online as a potential donor it is an overwhelming task looking into the different areas.  This of course is a tiny cog in the bigger machine but as I learn more about the world of investing and fundraising I realize how important these little aspects are.
The different projects themselves are wonderful and incredibly diverse.  I found it interesting how the organization is more like a vehicle that provides funding to these small groups and individuals who need help opposed to stamping projects "PROPERTY OF A BETTER WORLD!" though that has a nice ring to it.  While scrolling through their website and reading you get the sense that they aren't trying to lay claim or boast but rather to always encourage and promote success for everyone.  

I know that I personally tend to shy away from organizations and groups associated with religion of any kinds for fear of evangelical tendency but I think it is organizations such as A Better World that really are promoting the greater god for all and it both refreshing and encouraging.  

Fun Fact!
One of ABW's founders was named a "Champion of Change" by CBC Canda, see more at:
http://www.cbc.ca/change/2010/10/eric-rajah.html


A BetterWorld Canada
#103, 5033 52nd Street
Lacombe
Alberta, Canada
T4L 2A6
403-782-0325 / 403-347-3344
1-888-296-9721
info@abwcanda.ca
www.abwcanada.ca


*Information for this entry obtained through website research and email interview with ABW staff